I've really struggled but it does not seem to work: adolescents' experiences of living with ADHD - a thematic analysis.

IF 2.7 3区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

BMC Psychology Pub Date : 2025-01-27 DOI:10.1186/s40359-025-02350-7

Vendela Zetterqvist, Caisa Öster, Anna Oremark, Lotta Myllys, Jenny Meyer, Mia Ramklint, Johan Isaksson

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: In Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) the transition from childhood to adolescence encompass changes in symptom manifestation and related challenges. Given the potential negative impact of ADHD on adolescents, and the increased risk for dropping out from treatment, there is a need to understand more about how adolescents experience their condition. The aim of this study was to explore adolescents' perceptions of how it is to live with ADHD.

Methods: Twenty adolescents (15-17 years old, 12 girls) diagnosed with ADHD who had completed a skills training group were interviewed. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Four themes emerged: 'I find it hard to regulate what I take in and what comes out', 'I've really struggled but it does not seem to work', 'ADHD impacts my vitality and my relationships', and 'I can be successful and things are getting better'.

Conclusion: Adolescents with ADHD experience problems with self-regulation with regards to cognitive, emotional and behavioural processes. They describe being either on or off. This difficulty to self-regulate is related to primary and secondary consequences such as stress, anxiety, loss of control, and by extension exhaustion, depressed mood, challenges in social interactions, self-accusations and a tendency of giving up. The experience of 'being on' has positive connotations of vigour and creativity. The challenges related to ADHD can to some extent be overcome with time for recovery, coping strategies, and medical treatment. Symptoms of ADHD can also decrease over time.

Trial registration: This qualitative study was not pre-registered.

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来源期刊

BMC Psychology Psychology-Psychology (all)

CiteScore

3.90

自引率

2.80%

发文量

265

审稿时长

24 weeks

期刊介绍： BMC Psychology is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers manuscripts on all aspects of psychology, human behavior and the mind, including developmental, clinical, cognitive, experimental, health and social psychology, as well as personality and individual differences. The journal welcomes quantitative and qualitative research methods, including animal studies.